The Porsche 912 is the car for people who want the 911 experience without the 911 price. The 912 used the 911 body and chassis with the four-cylinder engine from the 356. It was positioned as an entry-level car when it was new and was treated as a consolation prize by enthusiasts for decades.

Recently, 912 values have climbed as buyers recognized that the 912 provides essentially the same driving experience as the early 911 — the chassis is identical, the weight is slightly less — at a significant discount. The four-cylinder engine is less exotic but it's also simpler and very reliable.

The 912E, built only in 1976, uses the VW Type 4 fuel-injected engine and is now appreciated as a final iteration of the classic 912 formula. Find a rust-free example and drive it without apology.